Newsletter for Sunday 7th March 2021

Dear friends,

It’s been World Book Day this week, and that got me thinking about the popular series of children’s books “Where’s Wally?” These books are filled with very detailed cartoon drawings and somewhere in each is hidden Wally, dressed in his trademark a red and white striped hat and glasses and the challenge is to find Wally. You have to search for some time to pick him out of the crowd, but Wally is always there!

Similarly, we can develop the discipline of recognizing God’s presence in our daily lives. One practise that can help us be more aware of God throughout the day is a daily review of our day with God. It can help us to see where God has been at work during our day. It’s an opportunity to remember how God has been at work and how we have responded to Him. As the psalmist says, “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night” (Ps 63:6).

What does this look like in practice?

Here is a step by step guide:

Be still for a moment, and quiet your mind.
Acknowledge that Jesus is present.
Invite Him to guide you by his Holy Spirit.
Recall the beginning of the day, when you first woke up. Watch that scene, as if on film. What is your reaction to what you see? Talk to God about it.
Continue through the film of your day, going from scene to scene. As you reflect on each one, some scenes may fill you with gratitude, others with regret. Speak directly to God about this. You may also want to pray for those you encountered during the day.
End your review with a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s mercy and love. Ask him to refresh you as you sleep.

As you begin reviewing your day with God regularly, you can expect to see two things beginning to happen:

First, you will become more aware of recurring negative patterns in your life, which will challenge these wrong attitudes and habits and increase your desire to grow and change.

Second, you will become more aware of God’s presence in the ordinary moments of your life. And when you start experiencing the reality of God’s presence with you every day, those moments are no longer ordinary!

Another great way to become more aware of God’s presence in the everyday is Taizé worship. You can find details of this months online service below.

Yours with much love in Christ,

Jonathan.

Rev Jonathan Widdess.

vicar@cumnor.org / 01865 863702

Here is this weeks news….

This week’s service – Holy Communion – join the live-stream

Join us at 10:30am on Sunday morning as we stream Holy Communion from St Michael’s. David Wenham will be preaching on John 2:13-22, exploring the story of Jesus throwing the money changers out of the Temple. To join in with the service online, visit https://cumnor.org/sunday-service-online-7th-march-2021/

The service will remain available afterwards to watch on demand via our website.

You can also phone on 01865 920993, and then choose option 1 from the menu. The service will remain available by telephone until the following Friday.

Taizé Service for March

Our Taizé team have released their online service for March. With readings, prayers and meditative sung worship, it’s the perfect way to find some peace and space in the stresses and strains of lockdown.

https://cumnor.org/online-taize-for-march-2021/

Mothering Sunday photos please…

I’m putting together some video for our online Mothering Sunday service (and possibly a poster too) and I’d love you to help.

Please will you send me a photo either of your mum, or someone who has played a mothering role in your life, and a photo of you either as a mum, or in a mothering role?

I need them by Monday March 8th. Please send them by email to office@cumnor.org or vicar@cumnor.org

If the photo features anyone under the age of 18 then please make sure their parents are ok with us using the photos in the online service on YouTube and on social media, and include in your email “I hereby give permission for the attached images to be used in online video, social media and printed posters by the Parish of Cumnor, and, where appropriate, I have obtained the permission of those featured in the photographs.”

Lent Foodbank Collection

Foodbanks continue to be in greater demand than ever before so we’re asking everyone to help meet the need during Lent.

From 15th-20th March there will again be a collection box outside the Vicarage and also 66, Pinnocks Way. Please give what you can to support the Oxford Emergency Foodbank.

The following items are needed for the foodbank:

Tins of meat
Tins of vegetables
Coffee, tea and chocolate drink
Tins of puddings
Tins of fruit
Jams and other spreads (honey, Marmite, peanut butter)
Sugar (especially small 500 gm packets)
Long life fruit juice
Long life milk (full fat or semi-skimmed)
Pasta sauces
Practical toiletries (toilet rolls, soap, shower gel, toothpaste, etc.)
Practical cleaning products
Nappies (all sizes)

Please ensure that items are well within their sell by date.

Zoom Weekly Prayer Meeting

Our weekly prayer meeting continues every Monday at 10am.

Join us as we gather together online to pray for one another, our families, friends and neighbours, our parish, our nation and the world.

For more details on how to connect, see this web page.

Regathering for Worship

While the past year has taught all of us something of the folly of planning too far ahead, we are currently hoping to be able to gather for worship in person again from 28th March. More details to follow in the coming weeks.

Please Continue To Pray For…

Everyone who has lost loved ones recently.
Staff, and pupils at Cumnor C.E. School and Matthew Arnold as they prepare to reopen to all pupils from Monday March 8th.
Our CMS mission partner Bia.
The St Andrew’s Rebuilding Project.
All those who are anxious for their jobs or their future.
All those who are continuing to struggle with the effects of lockdown.
Those who are homeless or struggling with food poverty.
The PCC Meeting on Wednesday.